Taking the road less traveled: Bhutan

Travel from Bagdogra Airport to Siliguri Junction(45 mins) by prepaid taxi (Rs. 460; better for a group), or partially by cab & bus (Rs. 165; good for solo travellers)

Travel from Siliguri Junction to Hasimara (3:35 hrs) by train (Rs.60)

Go from Hasimara to Jaigaon (35 mins) by sharing taxi (Rs. 50)

Flight (Mumbai to Bagdogra)

Bus (Airport to Siliguri)

Tanga (Siliguri bus stop to Junction)

Day 2

Pheutonsling is the adjacent town to Jaigaon on Indo- Bhutan border where you need to take permit to enter Bhutan. (Either Passport or Election ID will suffice for Indians; Pan and Aadhar card not accepted for 18-65 age group)

Entry is free for Indian, Bangladeshi and Malaysian tourist. Other tourists have to pay $250 per day which includes permit, food & lodging and traveling.(Note- Bhutan doesn't promote tourism)

Here you will find agents who will offer their vehicles based on your group size and budget. They will also help you in finding hotels, but cost will inflate due to secret commission from hotel.

Travel from Pheutonsling to Thimpu takes 6-7 hours comprising of ghats from start to end. You will climb one mountain and then descent and again start with another mountain till you reach the destination. Because of the constant turns, the journey can be tiresome.

During journey you will see breathe taking mountain landscapes, but no need to worry even if you miss clicking pictures, as throughout your stay in Bhutan; mountains landscapes are the only constant

Spend the night relaxing in the hotel

Waterfall en-route Thimpu

View from our Bus

Hotel Interior

Morning view from Balcony

Day 3

Start the Journey by visiting the Buddha Point. It is one the biggest statue of Lord Gautama Buddha in the world.

It was built with the help of 4 countries and sits on top of the mountain watching and protecting the city of Thimpu

The landscape view of city Thimpu from here is truly mesmerising. Mist and rain can also be encountered with very strong cold brezze

Visit to the Monastery, where couples who have problem in conceiving a child visit to take the blessings of the local deity of compassion.

Bhutan's parliament and Takin preserve zoo can be visited during the afternoon.

Evenings can be spend by taking taste of the night life in Bhutan,by visiting pubs.

Viva is the best pub in city with an entry fee of Rs. 350 covering 200 in drinks. Crowd here is very liberal and girls here can put the supermodels to shame. This is best crowd you'll get to see in Bhutan; so don't miss out.

Other cafes also provide Live band music and Karaoke which are worth trying asmost of them have free entry

Buddha Point

Local Monastery

Takin Zoo

Bhutan Government office

Bhutan Parliament and king's office

View point from local Monastery

View of Thimpu city from Buudha Point

Buddha Point

Buddha Point

Thimpu is the only capital city in the world which doesn't have traffic signals

Day 4

Start the day by visiting Dochula Pass en-route Paro

Dochula Pass will take 1:30 hrs to reach from Thimpu. It will be the best experience you'll have in Bhutan.

I was fortunate enough to visit during the first snowfall of the winter. If you miss it, then you wouldn't realize what you've missed. So plan your trip according to the snowfall.

Do visit the cafeteria on Dochula Pass as there is only one, and the ambience & food there is worth every penny.

Start journey from Dochula Pass to Paro (3-4 hrs). Spend the evening relaxing or visiting local pubs. Insomnia is the best pub in Paro but the crowd is not at Thimpu's level. Entry is 250-300 without drinks.

Some monument in Paro

Tea & Eclairs at Cafeteria on Dochula Pass

View from cafeteria window

Dochula Pass backyard

Dochula Pass

Monastery Dochula Pass

View at Dochula Pass

Monastery Dochula Pass

Road en-route Dochula Pass

View en-route Dochula Pass

Myself at Dochula Pass

Morning Paro Street

Day 5

Start the journey from Paro to Tiger's Nest (25-30 mins)

Tiger's Nest is one of the most beautiful Monastery in the world. The trek to it is also very challenging especially in snow and rain.

The whole trek takes 6-8 hrs to & fro from the base. The sight of the monastery upon reaching the view point is one to cherish for the whole life, so try to go for this trek as you will remember this for the rest of your life.

(Note- take the hiking wooden stick from the base, as it will be very helpful)

Spend the evening in hot tub relaxing the stretched muscles

Point to relax during trek

Surrounding mountains of Tiger's Nest

Trek route

Tiger's Nest

Creativity from some tourist

Route

Day 6

Return journey from Paro to Pheutonsling takes 7-8 hrs.

The beautiful trip comes to end when you reach Pheutonsling, but the memories will last forever.

Taking the road is less travelled is most suitable way to define the trip to Bhutan, as it is not on top of most people's dream list, but it would be after they return home from Bhutan